SITStahood!

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Medical Information Disclaimer

Howdy, friends! Just needed to let you know, any and all medical information on my blog is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical ADVICE!What I offer in my posts is my opinion and knowledge sharing, please contact your primary care provider for medical ADVICE.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Word on the street is that a big ol' snowstorm is heading our way. I've had to switch my brain from "looking forward to spring" back to "there's still a big long stretch of winter in front of us". This winter has been so unseasonably mild, it had me dreaming of flip flops and shorts long before I should have been!

Truth be told...I love snow storms. Now, we don't get the kind of ice/snow that takes out power for days *knock on wood*, so I am fairly "naive" in saying "I love snow storms". But I do. I love the fresh blanket of white that muffles all transient sound around.

When I was in high school, my mom and I used to go walking when it was snowy out. I loved those walks...just talking, our voices seeming so loud against the quiet of the falling snow. I think maybe I'll take my kids for a walk if we really do get some big snow.

In the fall of '95, I found myself at college, unsure of what I actually wanted to be "when I grew up" but reminded daily by the baby growing in my belly that I'd better hurry up and make a decision.

I was 18, unwed, and scared to death. I knew a few things...I knew I loved kids, did NOT want to be stuck in an office filing all day, and needed to have a profession that would allow me to support myself and my unborn baby financially. Every aptitude test I had taken had pointed me toward nursing, teaching, social work, dietitian, etc. People stuff.

Fast forward 5 months, to February 17th, 1996, the day I became a mom, and the day I realized what I wanted to do in life. The nurses I had during my labor were my everything. They supported me, they cheered me on, they redirected me, they calmed me and nurtured me and showed me compassion I had never before seen.

They made me want to be one of them. A nurse. More specifically, a Labor and Delivery Nurse.

When I returned to college that following fall as a sophomore, I declared my major and embarked upon catching up with my class so I could still graduate in 4 years.

Immediately after I graduated, I began my career as a nurse in the field I dreamed of, first in the postpartum unit, then one year later in Labor and Delivery. You guys...my job? It's amazing. It is utterly, breathtakingly, incredibly amazing. I get to witness the miracle of birth every. single. time I work.

I get to be that person who was so vital in the birth of my firstborn (his funny birth story is here, if you'd like to read it!). That cheerleader, that coach, that voice of reason, and sometimes even that stern nurse who tells you how it really is or how it needs to be.

What is so incredibly rewarding to me are the notes. The notes and the cards and the chance meetings at Target when a mama I have cared for stops me and tells me what I difference I made in her birth experience.

I often leave those chance encounters or slip those notes back into their envelopes with tears in my eyes. Tears of gratitude that I have been able to give to someone else what a few nurses gave to me so many years before. Their appreciation for me and the care I gave them is more rewarding than any paycheck or gift.

And seeing that baby who that mama in Target has in tow? That baby I gave his first bath to? That baby I helped her mama latch onto her breast and breastfeed for the first time? That teeny, tiny, soft, amazing newborn that I saw last and is now all big and fat and cooing and smiling?

Priceless.

Capella University and BlogHer have given me this opportunity to write about my career as a nurse- a choice I made, and never looked back on! If you are considering a career in nursing, I strongly encourage you to look into it...you will not be disappointed!

At Capella, you will develop the knowledge to help others reach their potential. Your degree will change more lives than just your own, just like my nurses and the path they set me on.

Wait...I'm not done!! Please read the paragraph below to see how you AND I and the "My Little Life" (or Five Crooked Halos, whatever you like to call this...place) community can make a difference.

BlogHer is donating $1 FOR EVERY COMMENT (up to $500) on this (and the other 3 sponsored posts) to the charity I have chosen. I chose The American Lung Association in honor of my sweet nursing classmate, Kelly, who passed away from complications of Cystic Fibrosis between our junior and senior year.

Let's see if we can get BlogHer to max out that $500 for Kelly. Just leave me a comment about how your labor and delivery nurse made a difference in your life (or how any nurse has made a difference in your life)! Spread the word, my friends...spread the word.

Rules:

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total donation entries by leaving up to two comments in response to the prompt on this post.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Thank you for your concern about Baby's leg bump...the answers we have? None.

The x-ray was inconclusive. Radiologist report said, "CT or MRI may be helpful"...which led me to believe that it may also be NOT helpful.

So, our doc and I talked and have decided to skip right to the chase...we're going with a surgical consult. Hubs thinks maybe we're jumping the gun a bit, but we've decided that at the very least, at least we'll be getting a second pair of eyes to check it out and review images.

Dr. D (our ped) said her "gut tells her it's nothing"...BUT there's the whole unknown. And when it comes to the scary stuff that bumps can be, I'd rather just know what the heck it is. I'm certainly not a fan of anesthetizing my kids (and it may not even come to that) but I know that if we did "wait and watch" and learn a few months from now that this little bump was actually something bad, I would kick myself for wasting those months on "waiting".

Waiting for a call back from the scheduler, I anticipate an appointment next week sometime...and I will make sure to keep you posted!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

First of all, thank you for making sure my biggest boy got home safe when he drove himself home tonight. *gulp* I'll probably be calling on You a lot to be with him when he drives (and always). Thanks in advance for that.

Also, could you please hurry spring along? I mean, I know that there's something like 10-17 inches of snow headed our way, but after that? Maybe? You see, we're running out of "non-holey kneed" jeans around here...and rather than buy new ones to last the rest of the school year, I'd just prefer that it warms up and we can do shorts instead.

And one more thing...thanks for being so awesome. I don't know what I'd do without You.

Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are hunkering down for a snow storm that should've come 2 months ago. Fer dumb.

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP!

Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!

Questions for Friday, February 24th (It's my big boy's birthday!!): (Special thanks to Mama Phan (@MamaPhan) from Boy (n.): A Noise with Dirt on It, Sandy (@PardonMyDust) from Pardon my Dust,Amy (@amy_mcmommy) from Mac or Cheesy, Stephanie (@StephanieLex) (Stephanie, do you have a blog?!), and Pam (@trooppetrie) from Troop Petriefor their question suggestions! I would love to link you in a future 5QF, so come on over to mycommunity or watch for my Thursday afternoon shout out for questions on Twitter and offer up your best question suggestions! Remember to@5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF if you go the Twitter route!)

1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it?

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy?

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself?

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for?

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1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?

See, with 5 busy kids, a part time job, a home, bills, big families, and a little girl who has a really crappy bedtime routine? Yeah...no down time here.

After this remodel project is over, I am resolved to resolve these crappy habits. It's gonna be a bath, book, brush, pray, goodnight kind of routine. Only, we kind of need a bathtub. A nice warm bath seems like it would be the perfect way to wind down a busy 4 year old and get her into a routine.

I dunno...we've never had to deal with this before. So, cross your fingers for us.

However...every so often, we do have some downtime, if I'm alone, I like to cruise the Internet, read blogs, Twitter, etc. With the hubs? Talk, watch a movie, snuggle...but honestly, the only time we have must down time together, is when we create it.

Date night. Dinner. We haven't been out to a movie in so long, because we realized, we can't really catch up with each other in a movie theater.

Our date nights often consist of dinner out and a stop at Barnes and Noble.

We need a date night.

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it?

Um. Yes. Hello, pop. I gave you up for Lent and I WANT YOU NOW!!!!

I debated on pop or candy (I'm doing the "give something up and do something good" thing this year...only I can't tell you what the "do something good is"...don't want any outside pressure...) and with a little help from my family, decided pop would be harder for me, so pop it was. (To be honest, it was a close race...I actually thought I had given up candy until this evening when I remembered that I hadn't! Blond...remember?)

And...iPad? I want...I can't have just yet...almost there, and by the time I'll have enough saved up, the iPad 3 will be out and PERFECTO! The joys of working toward a goal.

Or something. 'Cuz gosh, how I would've loved to have had that iPad in my grimy little hands already.

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy?

Um. Didja read #2?

iPad.

Then, some cute boots. I need some cute, brown, knee high boots to wear with jeans...only I can't find exactly what I want. Fer dumb.

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself?

UGH. I HATE eating out by myself. HATE it. Now that there are smartphones, I don't mind it so terribly much, but I still don't prefer it.

I'd much rather eat in my car than have people looking at me in pity because surely I'm so unlikable that no one can bear to even eat with me. ;)

If you make me, I will...but it's certainly not something I choose to do!

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for?

Okay...questions #2 and #3? Didja read 'em?

Turns out that there's this fabulous company called "Apple" that makes these incredible electronic devices that are so wonderful people think they "need" them. I would love nothing more than to, you know, really put myself out there for them and offer to test their products for them.

A hardship, I know, working with such awesome stuff...but hey, someone's gotta do it, right?

Yeah, I'd totally take one for the team and review their stuff. If they begged. (And by begging I mean, "Hi Mama, this is Tim Cook, CEO of App-" "HI TIM!! YES. I'LL DO IT!!" I know, I drive a hard bargain.)

Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are hunkering down for a snow storm that should've come 2 months ago. Fer dumb.

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP!

Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!

Questions for Friday, February 24th (It's my big boy's birthday!!): (Special thanks to Mama Phan (@MamaPhan) from Boy (n.): A Noise with Dirt on It, Sandy (@PardonMyDust) from Pardon my Dust, Amy (@amy_mcmommy) from Mac or Cheesy, Stephanie (@StephanieLex) (Stephanie, do you have a blog?!), and Pam (@trooppetrie) from Troop Petriefor their question suggestions! I would love to link you in a future 5QF, so come on over to mycommunity or watch for my Thursday afternoon shout out for questions on Twitter and offer up your best question suggestions! Remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF if you go the Twitter route!)

1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Haven't heard results from Baby's x-ray. When I spoke with our doc last night, she said if she had results by the end of today, she'd call...if not? Well, it wouldn't be until Friday, because she's out of the clinic on Thursday.

I may just have to call tomorrow and talk to the doc on call...I just don't like not knowing. Thank you for your prayers and for checking in!

In other news...something I COULD HAVE waited for? The Pal passed his driver's exam.

And then I threw up.

Okay, not really...but I wanted to. I am so not ready for him to drive. I think what makes me most worried is that he is WAY too confident. Acts like he's been driving for years...and that's enough to make me want to lock him in a closet and throw away the keys.

We need to sit down and have a good long chat about expectations and ramifications. I'm not sure he realizes that driving is NOT A RIGHT. It is a privilege.

Oh...and that he is never in a big enough hurry to get ANYWHERE that he needs to drive aggressively. If he is in THAT big of a hurry, he should be in an ambulance.

Right?

Once again, mother's of babies with their days and nights mixed up? Mother's of tantruming two year olds? Love these days...the stakes are raised once those babies grow up and start making decisions of their own and driving cars.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Last week my sweet babe had a (well over due) well-child check up. If there's one thing I hate, it's taking my healthy kids to the clinic in the middle of the cold and flu season, so I avoid it at all costs.

Well, you all know how utterly crappy 2011 was for us, and a well-child check up for a kiddo I had no concerns about did not rank on my list of "MUST DO'S"...so, her 3 year check up wasn't. I love that our pediatrician is totally understanding...basically she told me this wasn't my first rodeo, and she knows that if I have concerns, I'll bring our kids in.

Our clinic always asks the "safety" question ("are you abused", but nicer than that), but this was the first time I remember the nurse directly asking the kiddo. She said to Baby Girl, "Does anyone hurt you or make you feel scared?"

Baby Girl glanced at me like, "Duh." and responded, "Yeah!"

The nurse, looking suprised said, "Oh...who hurts you?"

Baby Girl again looked at me (while I was thinking, "hmmmmm...this is an interesting development") with a look like, "seriously?" then replied, "Dubya!!"

"Who's Dubya?" the nurse asked, with a little grin on her face.

"My brother." Baby Girl responded, which made the nurse laugh, respond, "That's what I thought!" and chuckle her way out the door.

Then the doc came in, we chatted and she and Baby Girl chatted and I brought up my only concern...a little lump on Baby's leg that felt "lymphnode-ish" to me. Dr. D felt it, reassured me that "as far as lumps go, it feels okay" but said she didn't like "not knowing what lumps and bumps are, so let's check it out" and ordered an ultrasound of her leg. (No results yet...which I'm taking to mean is all okay.)

We discussed her needed immunizations for school (I was wisely advised with The Pal that 4 years old is the time to do Kindergarten shots...after one kiddo who had them at 5 and did much worse than the others who had them at 4, I am a firm believer!!), and off the doctor went about her day.

I had toyed with when to tell my babe about these shots...with my older 4 kids I had prepared them up and down and side-ways and back and forth and all around...but something told me that that wasn't how Baby works. I imagined a battle of wills to get her into the clinic if she knew shots were coming...I asked my mom's advice, and she said, "If I were you, I'd wait until the last possible minute, then tell her. That's just my opinion...but I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT IT!"

Ha! We all know my Babe all too well...so, just before the nurses came in, I casually mentioned, "Oh, and Jodi is going to come back and give you a few shots and then we'll be all done!"

"Okay!" my babe chirped, pleased as punch.

The two nurses came in, I hugged my babe tight while she got FOUR shots and DID NOT EVEN FLINCH. No tears, no kicking or screaming or fighting or anything.

I almost fell over dead.

She hopped off my lap like nothing ever happened to try and catch the bubbles they blew for her and we were sent on our merry little way to go get a tiny leg ultrasounded.

I'll keep you posted on the ultrasound...in the meantime...kindergarten boosters at 4 years old? The way to go.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

**I had no sooner finished this post than the phone rang and it was the doctor. Unfortunately, they were "unable to rule out the bad stuff" with just an ultrasound (apparently they couldn't really see all that well what it is...), so we're headed in for an x-ray today. To say my mommy's mind isn't worried would be a flat out lie, so I'll just go ahead and say it...any prayers would be greatly appreciated!

My 16 year old "not quite" driver sapped me of most of it while driving home from school. Seems as tho he knows more about driving than anyone else. Ever. It's like he thinks he invented driving, or something.

Then, little kids arguing, fighting, "mom, I just pushed her away", crying...and what little I had left was completely drained.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Not really a big believer. Kinda, but not really. I mean, I'll do things so as to not expedite my demise (no walking under ladders, trying really hard not to break mirrors or open umbrellas indoors, etc...), but usually I don't get caught up in "that sort of thing".

So, anyway...my mom and I went shopping for the Pal last week. We were working on a deadline, so we ate quickly at the Food Court (STOP!! I do NOT want to hear about how disgusting and dirty food courts are...I can't imagine the filth, and I'd like to remain naive to food court nastiness. Thankyouverymuch.).

We decided on some Asian food, snarfed it down, slurped our pops dry and burped. Then I noticed my fortune cookie resting in front of me..."Hmmmm...let's see what kind of fortune I have today." (Side note: Since when did fortunes become less "you'll win a million dollars" and more "you are a beautiful person"? Very much a side note...as my fortune was less "you are a beautiful person" and more "you'll win a million bucks"...read on...)

I crack that cookie open and yank out the little paper inside and grin...it read something along the lines of "You will soon have unlimited opportunities." I showed my mom, we laughed, she said something like, "Oh! You're going to win the lottery!!" and then she grabbed HER fortune cookie.

"Oh my gosh! Look!!" she exclaimed, and handed me her fortune. Which read: "You will soon be called upon to celebrate good news!"

"You ARE going to win the lottery!!"

So, I did what every non-superstitious person does...I went out and bought two lottery tickets. Each with the numbers on the back of the fortunes.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

16 years ago, this very night, I was marveling (and, okay, incredibly a bit overwhelmed) at the adorable little, 2 day old creature in my arms, that I had just taken home from the hospital.

He was so cute. So tiny. So needy. So wonderful. (And overwhelming...)

16 years later, that little dude is still so cute, he's much less tiny, much less needy and even more wonderful than I could ever imagine he'd be. (And, still a bit overwhelming...)

He is kind, he is smart, he is awesome with kids, he is an incredible athlete, he's a hard worker (when he wants to be), and he's got a soft heart. I love him so much and am so proud of the young man he is becoming.

I thank God everyday for bringing that little creature into my life. Sure, the circumstances weren't ideal, but his arrival in my world changed my life for the better...a million times over.

Pal, I am so amazingly proud of you. Of your accomplishments. The responsibility to you show. Your sense of humor. How enjoyable you are to hang out with. Bear with me in these next years as I know I will stuggle with "letting go". I only want the best for you, because YOU deserve NOTHING but the best!!!

I love you to the moon and back..."I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living, My baby you'll be."

Friday, February 17, 2012

How does this happen? How did he go from a cooing, sweet smelling baby boy to a big, stinky teenager...overnight?! Wow. I am old. HE is old. Expect a proper birthday post soon...

In the meantime...

Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are crying in their coffee because their baby is suddenly old enough to drive a car...by. him. self. Waaaaa!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP!

Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!

Questions for Friday, February 17th (It's my big boy's birthday!!): (Special thanks to Gasfamily (@gasfamily) from The Gas Family, Courtney (@mom2xover2002) from Mom Times Two , Jennifer (@jenniferovery) from The Days of a SAHM, Sandy (@PardonMyDust) from Pardon my Dust, and Amy (@amy_mcmommy) from Mac or Cheesyfor their question suggestions! I would love to link you in a future 5QF, so come on over to mycommunity or watch for my Thursday afternoon shout out for questions on Twitter and offer up your best question suggestions! Remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF if you go the Twitter route!)

1. What do you do when you are really upset to calm yourself down?

2. Do you go all out for V-day or is it just another day?

3. Are you more or less productive when Hubs is away?

4. What is your favorite time of day and why?

5. What is your go to karaoke song?

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1. What do you do when you are really upset to calm yourself down?

Cry.

Although, I'm not really sure that it calms me down.

If I've had a really crappy day, usually I'll just leave and wander around WalMart for a while...I've also just grabbed my camera and announced I was taking off to go photograph stuff, then I walk around our property and shoot stuff.

"Shoot" as in, with my camera...although, I'm sure if I grabbed a gun and just started blasting away at trees and bushes in the woods, that'd prolly feel good too.

I'm just not real good with a gun. My aim is better with a camera.

2. Do you go all out for V-day or is it just another day?

Typically, it's just another day with a little extra sweetness thrown in. This year, we did the streamer idea and it was SO fun!! And then I did the molded hard boiled egg, which was really cool...

I see some Valentine's traditions in my future...

3. Are you more or less productive when Hubs is away?

HA!! Less. For sure...waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy less. Then, the day before he's due home, I scramble like crazy to get the house in shape!

In fact, I am so much less productive that my mantra is, and I am totally serious, "Why cook for just 6?" I mean, really...7 people, I can see, but 6? Sheesh. What a waste of time. And, gosh, I mean...it's so hard to cook for just 6.

So, we eat out. A lot.

And it's delightful.

And not at all productive.

(You'd think it would leave me more time to actually BE productive...but, alas, production is not to be seen when the hubs is away.)

4. What is your favorite time of day and why?

Gosh...that's a hard one. I love saying goodbye to my kids and husband when they leave in the morning, I love picking them up from school and hearing about their day, I love being all together at supper time...

But, I suppose, my favorite time of day would be after I wake up for the second time (yes, I go back to be to snuggle my sleeping baby after the big kids leave) beside my warm, soft, squishy little girl who usually wakes me with a "mornin' mama" and a big, sleepy smile.

Yeah...that is probably my favorite time of day. Just her and I, snuggling and talking about what to make for breakfast...

Love.

5. What is your go to karaoke song?

Ha! Well...see, the thing is, I can't carry a tune to save my soul. (Unless I'm singing the Wii "Glee Karaoke" song on "easy" mode...then WATCH OUT! I'm just waiting for the record companies to come banging on my door...)

Soooooooo, my go to karaoke song is usually something of a "rap" song. "Ice Ice Baby" is a good one. No tune carrying involved...just some fancy talking.

If I've had enough Mike's Lemonade, I can sometimes convince myself that I sound good enough to belt out some Gloria Gaynor or any handful of country artists...but that requires a blood alcohol level that leaves me unable to drive a car or operate heavy machinery and I wind up with a queasy tummy and a pounding headache in the morning.

Gloria ain't worth that but for maybe once every few years. (Mama can't hold her liquor.)

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Okay...now, will someone please hug me and tell me that everything will be okay now that my firstborn is 16 and spreading his wings? I'm so not ready for this...

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are crying in their coffee because their baby is suddenly old enough to drive a car...by. him. self. Waaaaa!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP!

Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!

Questions for Friday, February 17th (It's my big boy's birthday!!): (Special thanks to Gasfamily (@gasfamily) from The Gas Family, Courtney (@mom2xover2002) from Mom Times Two , Jennifer (@jenniferovery) from The Days of a SAHM, Sandy (@PardonMyDust) from Pardon my Dust, and Amy (@amy_mcmommy) from Mac or Cheesyfor their question suggestions! I would love to link you in a future 5QF, so come on over to mycommunity or watch for my Thursday afternoon shout out for questions on Twitter and offer up your best question suggestions! Remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF if you go the Twitter route!)

Mr. Wonderful

My hunka hunka burnin' love!! Mr. Wonderful is "Most Likely to be Voted Husband of the Year". Seriously...the guy's amazing. He has an amazing work ethic, treats me like a queen and cherishes his children. He knows how I like my coffee and rarely balks when I need some girl time. He is an amazing man...and I am one lucky woman to have him!

The Pal

Our oldest child, "The Pal" has turned out to be a pretty amazing young man. Currently in college...GAH, COLLEGE!!! (how did this happen?!), he is his littlest sister's hero and makes his mama proud.

The Belle

E-Dubya (or E.W.)

Our second son, this boy fiercely loves his mama, is tender hearted, has the most amazing infectious laugh, is a hard worker, and an even harder player!

Hambone

Our "baby boy", Hambone is goofy, sometimes aloof, entirely his own person, and a miniature copy of his dad. His one-liners leave us laughing non stop. Comedic relief...at it's cutest!

Baby Girl

Our babe, she is a force to be reckoned with! So unlike her brothers and sister, she is incredibly strong willed, independent, and stubborn. She loves to check the cows with daddy and loathes shopping with her mama. She will most likely be found with a dirty face and sticky hair...